April 14, 2018

Why disfigurement should be aspirational

By: Anne Soilleux

I don’t quite remember when I realised that I looked different to everyone else. There must have been a time when I was very small when I wasn’t aware of it. The knowledge that I was not the same as everyone else just seems to have been there all my life. It’s an awareness not formed from what I saw every morning in the mirror, but what was reflected back to me by other people; a look, a gesture, what they said - or sometimes what they didn’t say. An attitude. A judgement. A thousand individual events, piling up so that by the age of six I knew that I was never going to be the popular girl in class, the one people wanted to play with. One of my most enduring memories is sitting on a bench in the playground, watching every other kid in the class playing snake - a game that involved each child linking hands with another - a chain of human connections. No one asked me to join in. I can’t remember if I asked - I think by that age I had learnt that it wasn’t worth it. So I sat alone, swinging my legs and trying to fight off tears until a kindly teacher brought out a book and sat with me, reading. It was only twenty years later I realised what she didn’t do - namely stop the game, question why I wasn’t included. She was kind, but ultimately, she was complicit. She reinforced society’s message. You are not one of us. You don’t belong. You are not wanted.

Fast forward to the present and I like to think most people would be appalled if something like that happened to a child. But we shouldn’t fool ourselves. We are still a long way from living in a society that doesn’t marginalise those with a disfigurement. If you have a disfigurement, your life must be a tragedy, regardless of whether it causes you physical pain or loss of function.

For this reason, people often tell me I am inspirational. Now let me get this straight. I have lead a rather unremarkable life for anyone of my background and income group. I have not travelled the world (haven’t really wanted to), I have not scaled Everest (too lazy) and I have not found a cure for cancer. I have mostly, got an education, gone to work and done pretty much the same as my peers. But this is viewed as something extraordinary because I have a disfiguring disability. My only explanation for this is that other people must think that living with a visible difference is a truly terrifying experience. When you tell me I am inspirational, you are basically telling me you think my life must suck and that I am inspiring you not to feel sorry for yourself, because, hey, there’s someone worse off than you. And in doing so you immediately become part of the problem.

Knowing people don’t want to live your life makes it feel devalued and marginalised. It makes you feel as if you have nothing to offer, when you know absolutely that this is not the case. I don’t want to be inspirational - I want to be aspirational. I want people to look at my life and not be afraid to live it. Because, after all, what is so truly terrible about looking different?

*** Can you relate to Anne's story? Do you think calling disfigurement "inspirational" is problematic? Comment below***

Posted by Keith Patton on April 7, 2025 21:00

As a recent entrant into the crypto investment industry, I was lured into a fake crypto investment scam that resulted in the loss of 3.1 BTC, valued at $238,700 at the time. I had unwittingly invested in a fraudulent platform, believing it to be the legitimate FTX trading platform. The scammers manipulated me into sending multiple Bitcoin transactions to their wallet address. When their site was shut down, all communication attempts proved futile.
The experience left me devastated and ill for weeks. However, my assistant introduced me to Morphohack Cyber Service, a renowned expert in Bitcoin and crypto recovery. After researching their credentials online, I was convinced of their genuineness and trustworthiness. Morphohack’s team conducted a thorough investigation and recovery process, tracing and retrieving my stolen Bitcoin. Despite some losses to the blockchain network, I recovered 2.9 BTC, valued at $229,100 at the time.

Morphohack’s success was a surprise, as I had thought crypto recovery was impossible. Their services have left me grateful. If you’ve lost cryptocurrency, don’t panic. Reach out to Morphohack for assistance.
WEB:Morphohackcyber .com
EMAIL:Morphohack@cyberservices .com
EMAIL:Info@morphohackcyber .com
Posted by Linda Carroll on April 16, 2025 12:59

RECLAIM STOLEN CRYPTO REVIEWS WITH DIGITAL TECH GUARD RECOVERY
WhatsApp: +1 (443) 859 – 2886

Email @ digitaltechguard.com

Telegram: digitaltechguard.com

Website link: digitaltechguard.com

A maelstrom of uncertainty and hopelessness engulfed me as I faced the sickening reality of my life savings, an astonishing $1,200,000 vanishing from my online crypto account. Panic set in, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. This was my situation until I discovered a group of tech experts called Digital Tech Guard Recovery. They just helped me get my money back and made the entire experience bearable with their excellent communication and sympathetic manner. My frantic cry for assistance marked the start of my adventure with Digital Tech Guard Recovery. Their website was a lifesaver in my sea of anxiety, offering a comforting tone and unambiguous promises. As soon as I reached out, they responded with professionalism and understanding. Unlike the impersonal voices on some customer support lines, their representatives showed patience and genuine interest in my problem. They listened carefully to my experience, posed thoughtful questions, and provided me with a hopeful explanation of the recovery process that eased my anxiety. Digital Tech Guard Recovery’s communication was nothing short of exemplary. They kept me informed every step of the way, sending clear updates and explanations. They were always available to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they might have seemed, and their prompt responses were a lifeline, preventing me from spiraling into further anxiety. Digital Tech Guard Recovery’s power was demonstrated by their deeds as well as their words. They put in countless hours behind the scenes to locate my missing money, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and their expertise in the digital world. Even when I began to lose hope, they never wavered in their determination. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I received the much-needed news: my money was back! The joy of that moment was indescribable. Beyond the relief, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for Digital Tech Guard Recovery. They weren’t just a faceless company; they were a team of heroes who used their skills and compassion to turn my nightmare into a happy ending. My experience with Digital Tech Guard Recovery is a testament to the power of clear communication, empathy, and unwavering determination. In a world where technology can sometimes feel cold and impersonal, they reminded me of the human touch that makes all the difference. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to seek their help. They may just be the Digitals you need to bring back your lost treasure.
Posted by Linda Carroll on April 16, 2025 22:06

RECLAIM STOLEN CRYPTO REVIEWS WITH DIGITAL TECH GUARD RECOVERY

WhatsApp: +1 (443) 859 – 2886

Email @ digitaltechguard.com

Telegram: digitaltechguard.com

Website link: digitaltechguard.com

A maelstrom of uncertainty and hopelessness engulfed me as I faced the sickening reality of my life savings, an astonishing $1,200,000 vanishing from my online crypto account. Panic set in, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. This was my situation until I discovered a group of tech experts called Digital Tech Guard Recovery. They just helped me get my money back and made the entire experience bearable with their excellent communication and sympathetic manner. My frantic cry for assistance marked the start of my adventure with Digital Tech Guard Recovery. Their website was a lifesaver in my sea of anxiety, offering a comforting tone and unambiguous promises. As soon as I reached out, they responded with professionalism and understanding. Unlike the impersonal voices on some customer support lines, their representatives showed patience and genuine interest in my problem. They listened carefully to my experience, posed thoughtful questions, and provided me with a hopeful explanation of the recovery process that eased my anxiety. Digital Tech Guard Recovery’s communication was nothing short of exemplary. They kept me informed every step of the way, sending clear updates and explanations. They were always available to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they might have seemed, and their prompt responses were a lifeline, preventing me from spiraling into further anxiety. Digital Tech Guard Recovery’s power was demonstrated by their deeds as well as their words. They put in countless hours behind the scenes to locate my missing money, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and their expertise in the digital world. Even when I began to lose hope, they never wavered in their determination. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I received the much-needed news: my money was back! The joy of that moment was indescribable. Beyond the relief, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for Digital Tech Guard Recovery. They weren’t just a faceless company; they were a team of heroes who used their skills and compassion to turn my nightmare into a happy ending. My experience with Digital Tech Guard Recovery is a testament to the power of clear communication, empathy, and unwavering determination. In a world where technology can sometimes feel cold and impersonal, they reminded me of the human touch that makes all the difference. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to seek their help. They may just be the Digitals you need to bring back your lost treasure.

Previous
Page 1 of 22
Next

$0.00

$0.00

Currency

Why disfigurement should be aspirational

Comments

Leave a comment

Currency